'Pop' of Winans Gospel Music Dynasty Dies at 74

David “Pop” Winans, Sr., the patriarch of Winans Family musical dynasty, died Wednesday afternoon at the Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tenn. He was 74.

According to a statement released on behalf of the family, Winans died at 4 p.m. CT with his wife, Delores “Mom” Winans, at his bedside.

Though Winans had suffered a heart attack and stroke in October 2008, it was not immediately clear what the cause of his death was.

In the statement Thursday, a spokesperson for the family asked for prayers and privacy.

“The Winans Family wish to thank everyone for their prayers and continued support, but would appreciate privacy at this time,” expressed a statement on the website of popular Gospel music artist CeCe Winans. “Please continue to keep the entire family in your prayers during their time of loss.”

Born on April 20, 1934, “Pop” Winans stepped into the music scene at the age of 18, when he began singing with the Nobelaires quartet group. He eventually went on to record together with his wife, Delores “Mom” Winans, as “Mom and Pop Winans,” receiving a Grammy nomination for their self-titled album in 1989.

Winans is perhaps best known, however, for producing a musical dynasty that included a number of his 10 children and their spouses. As a whole, the Winans family has made an incredible mark in the music industry, racking up a myriad of awards and accolades, including more than 30 Grammy Awards, over 20 Stellar and Dove Awards, and about a half-a-dozen NAACP Image Awards.

According to the Winans’ spokesperson, memorial and “homegoing” services are being planned for Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15, at Perfecting Church in Detroit, where Marvin L. Winans, one of Winans' sons, is senior pastor.

Perfecting Church was also the site of a 2005 tribute service for Ronald Winans, the second oldest Winans child, who died of heart complications just two weeks before his 49th birthday.